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Sunday, January 29, 2012

A few weeks ago I had the great fortune of coming across a pair of Billy Baldwin style slipper chairs! These are good quality chairs made by Sherrill, and are probably from the 1980's.

I've always loved this style chair for its good looks, classic lines and go-anywhere flexibility. I immediately knew these chairs would be perfect for the family room over at Project Dollhouse. The family room is a long, narrow space and I plan to divide into two seating areas; one area for watching tv and one area for reading. These chairs will be perfect because they don't take up much room and their low profiles will help me keep an open feel to this divided space.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Before we installed our butcherblock countertops over at Project Dollhouse, I did some research on how to care for the butcherblock and as well as how to darken the color. Because we have so many white and tile surfaces in the kitchen, I wanted to add some warmth to the mix and a rich finish on the countertops could help me accomplish that.

A Google search led me The Real Milk Paint Company. They sell a product called Dark Raw Tung Oil that is non-toxic, eco-friendly, and has a darkening agent. It seals and protects the wood and I have to say I'm happy with the results!

First, there was lots of sanding....

As you can see, before the countertops were treated they were very light, and had a pinkish cast to them.

The company suggests cutting the tung oil by 50% with Mineral Spirits to help with absorption and to speed up the drying time between coats.

When the first coat went on I was concerned because the countertops didn't look much darker at all. But after applying 6 or 7 coats (with a day's drying time in between), we got a very pretty, burnished brown color.

You can really see the difference here with this untreated piece of butcherblock compared to the finished countertops in place.

Mission accomplished! Don't you love it when something works like it's supposed to?

Need some help pulling your style together? The Green Room Interiors can make your home a beautiful place to be! Call Kimberly Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com

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Monday, January 23, 2012

Are you ready for a Project Dollhouse update? We've made some progress in the kitchen and I wanted to share the small changes we've made.

Here's where we started. The kitchen had a functional layout with all wood cabinets that were in pretty good condition, but it was hardly the space I envision preparing meals in each day.

Nothing dates a kitchen more than those scalloped valances over the sink that are intended to conceal the flourescent light fixture. We removed the scalloped valance and that unusual structure above the cabinets that housed the wiring for the light over the sink. The window over the sink is new as well. We replaced all of the windows in the house, they were aluminum and in horrible condition.

The cabinets were sanded, primed, and painted.

All of the cabinet hardware has been replaced with pink glass cabinet pulls. I have a pretty good collection of pink depression glass - most of it has been handed down to us from family members, and I plan to display some of it in my kitchen.

The theme of this renovation has been and continues to be transformation with cosmetic changes. Here's where we are today.

We installed butcher block countertops, and a new white porcelain sink. The cabinet to the left of the sink has been removed as well as the scalloped wood valance over the sink. We put white subway tile on the backsplash and on the wall where the cabinet to the left of the sink used to be.

Open shelving will go over the subway tile to the left of the sink, similar to the images below.

All of the lighting has been replaced with vintage pendants and shades. I couldn't get a good shot of them in the space, but here's what they look like.

This pendant currently replaces the ceiling fan in the middle of the ceiling

and

This is the pendant fixture that hangs over the sink.

A few more shots of the current state of the kitchen.

My next post will have the rest of my selections for the kitchen - and it's the fun stuff! Think wallpaper, fabric and rugs. I hope you can stop by and check it out. Until then, the next two images are the inspiration kitchens I kept in mind when making my selections.

and

Hope your week is off to a great start!

Need some help pulling your style together? The Green Room Interiors can make your home a beautiful place to be! Call Kimberly Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

In a perfect world (where money was no object) I would have at least one room in my house done up in a gorgeous Chinoiserie wallpaper - a la de Gournay or Gracie. There is so much I love about these beauties!

I'm still in a ltr with Tory Burch's Gracie wallpapered foyer.

I love that they're inspired by nature, often featuring branches, blossoms, and birds.

The patterns on these hand-painted papers are loose and free-flowing. They never feel heavy handed.

So, imagine my delight when I came across these 4 Chinoiserie panels at a local estate sale a few weeks ago! No, they're not my coveted hand-painted wallpaper, but certainly a great way to bring a little sophisticated whimsy to my walls. And, I can take 'em with me wherever I go!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

I made a trip to Target this weekend with my daughter who was getting a new cover for the Ipod Touch she got for Christmas. Naturally, I decided to take a look in the Home Decor area to see what was new, and they really had some cute stuff.

Foo dogs in the most beautiful shade of Chinese red

And a pretty ikat pillow to go with it!

A great accessory in white - this will add a little sophistication wherever you put it.

Pretty cotton rug

Target always has the cutest side tables. Don't you just love the geometric pattern?

This color combination is so fresh and pretty

I don't know if I was too early or too late, but there were none of these to be found. I imagine they would coordinate with the floral pillow above.

And ...

Do you think the powers -that -be at Target decided to chevron everything after that crazy Missoni event last year? Chevron patterns were everywhere!

They also had a some gold and white chevron lampshades, which I failed to photograph!